Ithaca Catholic Worker Mission Statement

The Catholic Worker Movement was started in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. Today, inspired by their example, Catholic Worker communities around the world and here in Ithaca operate houses of hospitality and communal farms. We strive to live according to Jesus’ teachings of justice, charity and compassion. We commit ourselves to the works of mercy: caring for the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, sheltering the homeless, comforting the mourning, burying the dead. We also confront the works of war, and are involved in faith-based, non-violent actions that challenge social injustice. An important part of our work is publishing a newspaper to help us educate agitate and organize.

We believe that “there is that of God in every person”, that all creation is interconnected and interdependent, and that the sacred lies in even the simplest acts. We hope to do small things with great love, and to be instruments of God’s renewal of the face of the earth.

We believe that the transformation of the world and of ourselves comes about by 1) serving each other and our neighbors, 2) working together to build trust, 3) studying and praying together, 4) confronting non-violently the wrongs of our society, 5) allowing faith to guide our acts and 6) taking personal responsibility for change.

We meet regularly for silent meditation, communal prayer, sharing food, and to reflect on the teachings of Jesus and other teachers rooted in non-violence. All are welcome to join us. We offer shelter and support to people in need. We carry out actions of public witness, often timed to the rhythms of the liturgical calendar.

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Responses

How I miss you! May this note find you knowing the grace of God’s presence

Hi! Our next meeting is Tues, Sept 7th–6pm meal and 7pm meeting. Will you still be around? If not, feel free to come by the house. We’re at 411 South Plain St in downtown Ithaca. We are usually home in the evenings after about 5:30.

I recently moved to Ithaca and learned of you via the Episcopal Peace Fellowship at St. Johns. I was raised Quaker but ‘migrated’ to the Episcopalian tradition. I plan to attend St Johns (8 am service) and the Ithaca Monthly Meeting (@ 11:00). I am currently staying at the Burtt House. I am a licensed immigration attorney, and am a naturalized citizen from Iran, looking to become more involved in social justice/non violent/ peace orientated causes. I would like to become involved. I wish I could join the Afghanistan delegation but already have commitments 🙂

I moved to greater Ithaca in December 2012 to marry my wife. For the first time today I encountered your “Stop the Drones” demonstration at Meadow and Clinton Streets. I pulled over to talk with Gary, James and Sonia and hold a sign for a while, learning from Gary about the military drone launches from Hancock field in East Syracuse. I was very moved. Drone warfare, with its human and human rights costs, has been an issue of mine for some time. I am a retired NY lawyer, businessperson, nonprofit activist and academic. I am presently an active minister in the Universal Life Church. I would like to help this effort of yours. Among other things, I would like to donate, and I also have media relationships that might get national and greater attention to the legal abuses Gary told me about at Hancock. Gary, you have my card. Please contact me!

Do the Ithaca Catholic Workers follow fully the teachings of the Catholic Church? Engaging in the “sit in” shows real political activism. The church teaches that the killing of the unborn is one of the greatest social ill of our time.

Engaging in the “sit-in” causes real confusion when it’s with a pro-life politicians. I sure hope you know what you are doing..